The Rangers have announced they’ve released veteran first baseman James Loney. They’ve also optioned righty Eddie Gamboa to Triple-A Round Rock and reassigned outfielder Jared Hoying to Round Rock. In addition, righty Anthony Bass and catcher Steven Lerud have been told they haven’t made the team, according to MLB.com’s TR Sullivan (on Twitter). Bass will head to Round Rock, while Lerud’s destination isn’t yet known.
The Rangers signed Loney to a minor-league deal in January after he posted a .265/.307/.397 line in 366 plate appearances last year for the Mets. The team signed Mike Napoli the following month to occupy their vacant first base position, however, and Loney did himself few favors in camp, batting .174/.224/.261.
Once a productive player with the Dodgers and Rays, the 32-year-old Loney’s production has slipped in recent seasons, and he hasn’t posted a positive fWAR since 2014. He’ll likely attempt to catch on elsewhere, but he might be hard-pressed to find another big-league job until he proves himself again in the minors.
Padres should sign him again to a minors deal
He got his pcl championship ring the other day for last season
I would like to see the Mets sign him to minor league deal if he’d accept. He really did a nice job for the Mets last year when Duda went down. Not spectacular with the bat, but saved a tune of runs with his glove at first and our infielders throwing worn killers to him. And jay a matter of time before Duda’s back issues flair up again.
*worm killers
Gonna miss JL, however, opposing teams won’t miss his GIDP’s.
All of the Mets opposing teams loved his GIDP’s last year. Wilpon and co will sign him on the cheap as the roster is filled with DL candidates (based upon history).
Get him braves
I was thinking the same thing, they could use some additional bench help, though they seem to be more interested in a right handed OF bat rather than what Loney offers
Why would the braves need a left handed hitting first baseman?
Exactly and he offers no offense
James Loney always had a slow bat.
Sure was hoping the knuckleballer Gamboa would stick. He was much more impressive this spring than Dillon Gee.
I got into internet tizzy fits a while back with some Pirate fans who thought this guy could help the pirates….
Bucs dodged a bullet on that one
James Loney wasn’t that bad with the mets, i mean he provided good defense, and at times seemed clutch, but at this point he will just have to sign a minor league deal and hope he does well enough to see the big leagues again
Yanks should drop Carter and snap Loney up
It’s interesting how much of what we think about Loney is colored by his earlier career. He’s been a below average defensive first baseman for quite a while now, and his bat is just not acceptable for a guy who can only play first base. Plus, he might be the slowest non-catcher/non-Solarte player in baseball. He’s had a nice little career. He’s made 37 million dollars playing baseball. But he’s no asset in any way anymore.
I’d like to see a team pick him up. He’s good in the clubhouse and may be able to help some of the younger guys down in the Minors while he attempts to try and make it back to the bigs